Senate overrides LePage veto of bill that would force him to sign bonds

Sen. Roger Katz votes to override one of Gov. LePage's vetoes Thursday in Augusta. The Senate voted 25-9 to override a veto of a bill by Sen. Roger Katz that removes the governors authority to withhold authorization of voter-approved bonds.

Troy R. Bennett | BDN | BDN

Troy R. Bennett | BDN | BDN

The Senate voted on Thursday 25-9 to override a veto of a bill by Sen. Roger Katz that removes the governor's authority to withhold authorization of voter-approved bonds.

Troy R. Bennett | BDN | BDN

Troy R. Bennett | BDN | BDN

Senate President Mike Thibodeau presides over a veto override vote in Augusta on Thursday. The Senate voted 25-9 to override a veto of a bill by Sen. Roger Katz that removes the governor's authority to withhold authorization of voter-approved bonds.

The bill would require the state’s governor to authorize all voter-approved bonds except in the most extenuating circumstances, preventing Gov. Paul LePage and all future chief executives from using bonds as political bargaining chips.

Katz, a Republican from Augusta, was prompted to propose the bill after LePage made clear that he would not authorize more than $11 million worth of voter-approved bonds meant to purchase private land for conservation.

“The question here is simple,” Katz said. “Will we respect the will of the people or won’t we? It’s remarkable the lengths that some will go to to ignore that will.”